Canada Just Made It Easier for Indians to Migrate – Here’s How!

Have you been dreaming of working and securing a high-paying career in Canada? Has the IELTS score been a big hurdle for your dreams? Well, say goodbye to your worries as Canada has widened their doors, especially for Indian caregivers. In a move that could significantly benefit Indian nationals looking to settle in Canada, the Canadian government has announced a major update to its Caregiver Permanent Residency Program.

This update lowers the IELTS requirement, cuts down the necessary work experience, making the pathway to Canada easy and PR more accessible for non-English speaking internationals. So, what exactly has changed, and how is it benefiting Indians? Read on to know more!

What is the Canada Caregiver PR Program?

Canada’s Caregiver PR Program is a specialised immigration stream introduced by the Canadian government that allows foreign nationals to become permanent residents by providing in-home care to children, seniors, or individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities. Up until now, caregivers were required to have:

• A minimum IELTS score equivalent to CLB 5 (Canadian Language Benchmark) ∼ 4 in Reading and 5 in the rest
• At least 24 months of relevant work experience as a caregiver in Canada
• A valid job offer in the caregiving sector

Caregivers traditionally used to reach Canada on a temporary work permit and used to accumulate work experience. Once they have reached the experience requirement as well as the language proficiency, they could apply for Permanent Residence. Though this was helpful for many foreign nationals, especially Indians, it was a burden for many due to the high language benchmark.

What is the Major Change?

Canada’s Immigration Minister Marc Miller rolled out two pilots under the Caregiver PR program on 31 March 2025. The pilots allowed home care workers, including Indian nationals already in the country, to apply for permanent residence. Initially, the scheme was only open for workers already in Canada. The application limit was met on the same day, and the applications for 2025 are officially over. This showcases the demand for PR among caregivers in the country.

A separate stream for applications from overseas caregivers will be scheduled at a later date.

The major changes when compared to last year are for the IELTS requirement and the work experience requirement. Under the new program, applicants only need to have:

• Minimum CLB 4(equivalent to IELTS scores around 4.0–4.5)
• 6 months of relevant experience either in Canada or outside

This means that applicants now only need basic English skills and minimal experience to settle in Canada faster. In terms of IELTS, this is a great opportunity, especially for caregivers from the rural parts of India. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), this change will “make the program more flexible, inclusive, and responsive to Canada’s labor market needs.”

How Exactly Does This Benefit Indians?

There are many areas of benefit for Indians due to this recent update:

High Number of Indian Caregivers

India is one of the top sources for healthcare and hospitality personnel on a global scale. Many Indians, especially women, apply to the caregiver stream every year, with hopes of settling for higher wages, job stability, and a better quality of life.

IELTS – A Major Barrier

For many Indians, securing a CLB 5 on the IELTS scale was a significant challenge, mainly due to test pressure and high preparation costs. With the new update requiring only CLB 4, this barrier is reduced on a significant scale.

Easier Entry

Canada continues to face a labor shortage in the caregiving and healthcare sectors. This update opens the doors wider for skilled Indian caregivers to apply for long-term employment and community support in Canada.

Final Thoughts: A Golden Opportunity

The pilots are being conducted every year, and the stream, particularly for overseas caregivers, is currently closed in the official portal. However, due to the ongoing demand for such skills, the program will surely be opened for the upcoming years. If you are a skilled caregiver looking to immigrate to Canada, obtain an IELTS score equivalent to CLB 4 as well as a minimum of 6 months of experience. These two factors would be the key to your future in Canada.

Thinking about where to go to obtain the required IELTS score? Entri’s IELTS Online Course is the best one for you to learn while working. Its expert-led classes can be availed according to your comfort, thus allowing you to incorporate preparation while you gain the caregiver experience. So, what are you waiting for? Enrol now and secure your career and PR in Canada!